SCIENCE AND MARRIAGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11854, 4 January 1902, Page 2 (Supplement)

SCIENCE AND MARRIAGE.

Lookino around at the various married couples of our acquaintance we must often wonder what it was that attracted the 'respective husbands and wives to each other. Aria were they themselves questioned' as to reasons for choice of life-partners it is probable they would be unable to give any definite answer. Dr. Francis Galtcn, in his Hnxley Memorial Lecture, delivered at the Society of Arts lately, proposed. to change all this. The present unreasoning preferences are to be abolished in . favour of science and the improvement of the race. ;

He suggests that the intermarriage of healthy young <men'and women of superior physique should be encouraged by the granting of diplomas and dowries, while settlements composed entirely of superior specimens of humanity should be established and endowed!; Soon, no' doubt, * we ; shall have, a Human Cattle Show at the Agricultural Hall, with judges'to 1 award prizes and ,' arrange matrimonial '" contracts on the spot.. We know that this is the age oi>motor-cars and ; dinematographs, and wireless telegraphy, and electrocutions, and that we live in ; a scientific hurry ;. and ■• suffer from in-: digesbion, and nerves, and ; free trade, and technical education, and a hundred ills un-. known to our ancestors,- who had the gout and let it go at that. We also know that the breed '•■ of - mankind might possibly be , improved; • but Mr. Francis Galton's ■; Huxley Memorial ; Lecture was; surely not intended seriously. The idea; that :;the ' race would be improved by the intermarriage of genius is surely a? Gilbertian fallacy.; One genius in a small house is almost more than human . nature tJ can p. bear '% but "; think iof i a whole family afflicted with the exasperating complaint! Father and ; mother,. sons /and daughters, uncles and aunts, cousins and poor relations; and so near Christmas, too. Wicked Mr. Galtoa!—Free Lance.. " ,